THE 



RIO 

JJjU 



r\ 



D-STAINED CR 



A MESSIANIC LYRIC, 



OR 



THE BIRTH, LIFE, DEATH, RESURREC- 
TION AND ASCENSION 



OF 



JESUS, THE CHRIST. 



iS 



BY BENONI DICKERMAN 




COLUMBUS, OHIO: 



FRED J. HEER, PRINTER. 

1884. 



53 



1 



r^i 



Entered according to the Act of Congress in the year 1883, 

BY BENOXI DICKEEMAN, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



R E F A C E. 



4- 



The author of the following lines has not 
imitated " Cunningly devised fables," but deeply 
deplores the general hankering for fictitious trash. 
More accustomed to the use of the axe and plow 
than to the pen; having passed his three score 
and ten years, during three score of which he 
has been connected with various Sabbath Schools; 
but now by infirmities of age being debarred that 
chosen employ, he seeks in an unpretentious way 
to continue to teach 

"When I am Gone." 

THE AUTHOR, 

CONSTANTIA, 0. 

Sent by mail on receipt of price, $1.00. 
(iii) 



Introduction. 



The theme of this Lyric is one that has never 
been exhausted, and never will be, while the hopes 
of men cluster around the atoning work of Christ. 
To every Christian mind it presents itself in terms 
of his own personal experience. So many, and so 
profound are the mysteries which surround the 
Messiah, the God-man, that few thoughtful minds 
are fully satisfied with any forthsetting of others. 
Every earnest soul wants to set forth more clearly 
to himself the whole story from the Manger at 
Bethlehem, to the Ascension from Olivet. Every 
one that has done this for himself, feels that he 
has got new light. He feels that what has helped 
him will help others. And so he feels impelled, 
not by the craving for authorship, but by the hope 
of doing good, to give his thought to the world. 

Such is obviously the inspiration of this little 
Book. It lays no claim to artistic merit as Poetry. 
It aims to set forth in rhyme the Author's concep- 
tion of the wondrous story of The Birth, Life, 

(v) 



vi introduction. 

Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jelus, 
the Christ. In this form doubtless it will gain 
the attention of some who would not be attracted 
by the same thoughts in the form of prose. They 
will find in it only "the old, old story." But it 
may set in a new light, and fix upon the memory, 
scenes in the "Wonderful Life," which no Chris- 
tian would let slip. 

If any apology for its publication is needed, it 
may be found in the AVords of the Dreamer, who 
set forth his ideal of the Christian life, in the 
"Pilgrim's Progress." 

"Thus I set pen to paper with delight, 
And quickly had my thoughts iu black and white, 
Well, when I had put my ends together, 
I showed them others, to see whether 
They would condemn them, or them justify; 
And some said, Let him live ; some, Let him die ; 
Some said, John, print it; others said, Not so, 
Some thought it might do good ; others said No, 
At last I thought, since you are thus divided, 
I print it will ; and so the case decided." 



W. E. Moore, D. D. 



Columbus, 0. 



CONTENTS. Vll 



Contents. 



Page. 

From the Creation to the first Advent 9 

To the beginning of His public ministry 14 

To the first miracle 16 

To the transfiguration 32 

To the betrayal, 44 

To the cross 57 

To the sepulcher 61 

To hades 62 

To His resurrection 64 

To His ascension 72 

To His second Advent 74 

Miscellaneous Poems — 

The Return 75 

Messianic Hymn 85 

The Cross Only 87 

The Guest Chamber 90 

Light at Evening Time 93 

The Cleansing Fountain 96 

Sorrow 98 

Thanksgiving Hymn 100 

The Apostles' Creed 101 

Definition of Patience 103 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

Miscellaneous Poems — Continued. 

Page. 

Drought p.iid Opportune Kain 105 

Baptismal Waters 107 

A Dedicatory Hymn 110 

Pure Water 112 

God our Refuge , 114 

Universal Praise 115 

The Poison Weed 117 

Let Me Die Sober .„ 120 

Malum Per Se 122 

Tempore! Mores! 123 

The Exodus 125 

Temperance Revival 127 

The Song of Bacchus , 129 

Temperance Rally 131 

Mt. Olivet 134 

Judgment Hymn 136 



The Blood-Stained Cross. 



In the Blood-stained Cross I glory — 
Trust its merits, not my own ; 

Let me sing the wondrous story 
How for sin did Christ atone. 

In remotest age eternal, 

Through the ages yet to be, 

God alone on Throne supernal 
Comprehends infinity. 

Ere the dawning of creation, 
Or the march of time began, 

Ere the Sun assumed his station 
Or was made primeval man ; 

Erst the twinkling stars of heaven 

Lighted up the galaxy, 
Or the lightning flash was given 

Gleaming o'er the land and sea; 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Darkness reigned — chaotic darkness — 
Through the realms of boundless night; 

Then amid the gloomful blackness 

Spoke the Word: "Let there be light!" 

Suddenly in boundless measure 
Shone the starry worlds of light; 

Sparkling gems and sparkling treasure, 
Lo! the darkness takes its flight. 

Who is He that by His power 

Spoke from naught each sparkling gem- 
Source of light in darkest hour 

Made them for His diadem? 

Who is He that weighs each mountain? 

Poises every ponderous world? 
Measures every ocean fountain ? 

Sees them in confusion whirled? 

I'll rehearse the names He beareth 
Of each name deserving well ! 

Say what chieftain's name compareth 
With the name Immanuel ? 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Who appeared in human nature, — 
Might I trace by help Divine 

All His works of every feature 
And His form incarnadine. 

Wondrous are the names He beareth, 
Names unlike the names of men 

Who a bloody vesture weareth 
These employ my lab'ring pen. 

How He walks upon the water, 
Stills the tumult of the wave, 

Brings to life Ja-i-rus' daughter, 
Rescues Laz'rus from the grave. 

Heals the congenital blindness 

Of a man to sorrow born, 
By His superhuman kindness; 

Darkness flees before the morn'. 

He expels a legion devils 

From one man — a Gadarene — 

Gave release from many evils 
By a word, as " Be thou clean !" 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

I'll record His life of sorrow, 
And the cruel death He died ; 

I no fiction need to borrow, 
He for man was crucified. 

All the pens of seers and sages, 
Half His wonders ne'er have told; 

Other pens in future ages 

Still new wonders shall unfold. 

Ere the garden was vacated 
In the hour of sorest need — 

Adam's fear was then abated 
By the promise of the "Seed!" 

Through the mist of future ages 
Abram saw the promised " Seed." 

Faith engraved fond mem'rys pages 
Gave him strength in time of need. 

Moses told the Hebrew nation 

Of a " Prophet " that should come. 

Make for Him due preparation — 
" Eat the lamb" in every home. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Israel taught by strange devices 
Understood alone through faith ; 

Bloody rites and sacrifices 
Typified His shameful death. 

Amoz' son — ordained of Heaven 

Once to see the Seraphim, 
Writes "To us a Son is given," 

Only Son of Elohim. 

Other men in other ages 

Wrote of one who should appear; 

This we read in sacred pages 
Unmistakable and clear. 

"Mighty God," the "lasting Father," 
11 Prince of peace," His names shall be ; 

He shall all the nations gather 
From the islands of the sea. 

" Wonderful" in works of healing, 
" Wonderful " in works of grace, 

While His sympathetic feeling 
Far transcends the human race. 



6 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

"Counselor," fit appellation, 
From His Father He obtains, 

"The desire of every nation" 

For He comes to break their chains. 

Jacob's "Star" guiding the sages 
To the Babe of Bethlehem, 

Seen by prophets through the ages — 
Dimly seen through types of them. 

E'en the angels filled with wonder 
Fain would scan obscurity : 

Fain would part the veil asunder, 
Penetrate futurity. 

Many longing ones are waiting 

Like the aged Simeon, 
Hope and fear oft' alternating 

Waiting for the promised One ! 

Now the Scepter has departed 
And the Oracles are dumb ; 

Patient be, ye broken-hearted, 

Jacob's " Shiloh " soon will come. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

With no pompous demonstration, 
With not sound of fife and drum, 

Nor with outward observation 
Shall the promised Savior come. 

Daniel, who among their number 

The Messiah did foretell; 
Visions saw in nightly slumber, 

Saw the King of Israel. 

On the margin of their waters, 

Euphrates and Hiddekel, 
Magi met fair Salem's daughters 

In amazement heard them tell 

What the Hebrew prophets told them, 
Unto One to bow the knee ; 

How their many gods had sold them 
Into long captivity. 

Amos' son, and Jeremiah, 

Through prophetic insight trace 

Pointing to the great Messiah 
To restore the chosen race. 



8 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Hark ! The mandate comes from Heaven- 
Comes to all the cherubim. 

No exemption now is given, 
" All ye angels, worship Him I" 

Instantly those angel minions 
Come — like morning rays they come, 

Wafted on etherial pinions, 
Where the watchful shepherds roam. 

Sure no prophecy can vary 
Of the "Branch" from Jesse's stem. 

Joseph and the Virgin Mary 
Must abide at Bethlehem. 

Jesse's son in former ages 

Tuned his harp to songs of praise — 
Lofty thought his heart engages 

Where he spends his youthful days. 

He, the ruddy, tuneful shepherd, 
Guards the flock by night and day; 

From the lion, or the leopard, 
Bears the helpless lamb away. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Gabriel comes, thrice welcome angel, 

Joyful news for man to bring. 
Shepherds hail the glad evangel 

Tidings of the infant King. 

Thus they sing, angelic legions — 

"Glory be to God on high. 
Peace and love through all earth's regions," 

Songs abound and multiply. 

Nature smiles, the earth is vernal, 
Sharon's roses clothe the ground, 

Cloudless is the sky nocturnal, 
Nature's silence is profound. 

From the East with costly treasure, 
Not for show nor vain pretense, 

Wise men bring, in princely measure, 
" Myrrh, and gold, and frankincense." 

To a bloody rite subjected 

Ere the eighth day had expired; 

No command by Him neglected 

Though in swaddling clothes attired. 



10 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Ere full forty days were ended 
To the temple He was borne, 

Type and antitype were blended 
Like the golden hues of morn. 

Simeon, who long had waited, 
There embraced the holy Child, 

And of Anna 'tis related 

How with joy her heart was filled. 

Now when danger was impending, 
Danger to the blessed Child, 

Gabriel, his Ward defending, 

The foul scheme of malice foiled. 

While in quiet they were sleeping, 
He the timely warning gave. 

Those are safe whom He is keeping, 
Like protection may we have. 

Scarce He entered on His mission 
Ere they thirsted for His blood. 

How amazing His condition ! 
Come, behold the Son of God. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 11 

Trembling fugitive, behold Him, 

Fleeing from His native land ; 
In her arms see Mary fold Him, 

O'er the barren, burning sand. 

Short His stay — the infant Stranger 

In the land of Pha-ra-oh, 
Who was cradled in a manger 

In the ages long ago. 

Soon the fugitives returning 

Cautiously their way retrace, 
Heed their guardian angel's warning, 

Nazareth their resting place. 

There His childhood days glide gently 

As the silent waters go, 
Pensive oft, while He intently 

Contemplates this world of woe. 

Yet we find Him in the the temple; 

See the young, precocious Child, 
Through His answers, questions ample; 

With amazement all are filled. 



12 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

While the people are awaiting 
For some mighty conqueror. 

Some great chieftain, demonstrating 
His abilities in war; 

Lo! a man of humble station, 

Clad in garments coarse and plain, 

Startles all the Hebrew nation 
Like a whirlwind o'er the plain. 

Malachi foretold His coming; 

Him Elijah, he surnamed : 
Through the dim and distant gloaming 

Sees the erring ones reclaimed. 

In appearance and in bearing 
He a prophet seemed to be, 

With Elijah well comparing 
In His strange austerity. 

From the wilderness emerging 
By the Jordan takes His stand, 

There the multitudes converging 
Fain comply with His command. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 13 

Trumpet like His voice is sounding ; 

Wrapt, they list with mighty joy ; 
Many hearts in hope are bounding — 

Let this theme my pen employ. 

There He speaks, the earnest preacher, 

With a stern severity ; 
Multitudes wait on the Teacher — 

Pattern of austerity. 

" Let a highway be provided 

In the desert for our God," 
Who the waters twice divided 

Where our fathers' feet have trod. 

" Bring the fruits of true repentance, 

Flee the wrath that is to come," 
They regard each pointed sentence; 

In each heart truth finds a home. 

Let the Jordan's limpid waters 

Typify the Spirit's power, 
When upon "My sons and daughters" 

I my cleansing Spirit pour. 



14 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Jordan's waters, ever flowing, 

Now by John are utilized ; 
Multitudes, in sorrow bowing, 

By this prophet were baptized. 

Soon appears a youthful stranger 
Mingling with the thronging crowd, 

" Man of sorrows," Child of danger, 
Who precocious wisdom showed. 

Now Messiah and the preacher 

Hold a solemn interview; 
John addressed the wondrous Teacher, 

"Fain I'd be baptized by you." 

Then rejoined the loving Savior 
To the man of homely dress — 

It becometh our behavior 

" To fulfill all righteousness." 

When the typic rite was ended, 
And was closed His fervent prayer, 

Then the Dove from heaven descended, 
Type and Antitpye met there. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 15 

Only John beheld the spirit 

On that Sacred Head descend, 
So this record we inherit, 

"Grace and truth " divinely blend. 

Hark ! A voice proclaims from heaven, 

" This is my beloved One ! " 
Unto Him all power is given, 

Unto Him my only Son. 

He eludes their observation, 

Seeks the desert solitude ! 
On His pensive meditation, 

Satan does in vain intrude. 

In the wilderness He foiled him, 
Foiled him on the Temple's height ; 

On the mountain's top despoiled him, 
Put him to a hasty flight. 

On the mountain Him attending 
Angel guards, each comprehends; 

Jacob's ladder now descending, 
Bringing what the Father sends. 



16 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Victor from the conflict turning 

To the place Beth-ab-ara; 
John, — the Light still brightly burning, 

Sees in Him the " Morning-star." 

In a Galilean village 

He displays His power divine, 
Nor did, even human tillage, 

Make like that, such luscious wine. 

When the people there awaiting 
In expectancy were hushed; 

He the water was translating : 

— Water owned its God and blushed! 

Not to mad'ning wine transmuted 

He the water in the jar ! 
Be to Him no act imputed, 

With man's highest good at war. 

There He showed His dawning glory, 
Which at first they vaguely see, 

Marvels great adorn the story 
Greater things were yet to be. 



/ 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 17 

In the house for prayer appointed, 

With the thronging multitude 
He appears ; Of God anointed, 

Who all sacrilege eschewed. 

While His hand a scourge is holding 

They behold Him in dismay, 
See His holy zeal unfolding, 

Terror drives them all away. 



f 



Soon the learned Nicodemus, 

Councilor and Pharisee 
Questions Him who would redeem us ! 

Like a child at mother's knee. 

Timidly when day was ended 

And when darkness spread its pall, 

He approached all unattended ; 
Like a child at father's call. 

"Rabbi! All Thy works bear witness 
Thy commission is from heaven," 

Works divine have proper fitness, 
Not to man such power is given. 



18 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Death, through sin all men inherit 
All their righteousness is vain : 

Needful is the Holy Spirit, 
For they need be born again. 

From the City soon returning. 
Multitudes were then baptized, 

They this needed lesson learning, 
Purity is symbolized. 

Next to Galilee returning, 

Seeks the place of Jacob's well, 

Gives a Gentile woman warning, 
Near " Elohe-Israel" 

Thither came the Gentile woman 
At the sultry hour of noon 

When the dial with its gnomon 
Brings to mind the cooling boon. 

He addressed the Gentile stranger, 
Told her of the Living-Fount', 

Warned her of her special danger; 
Not to trust Gerizim' Mount. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 19 

Told what service God commanded ; 

In the spirit, and in truth ; 
This of all is now demanded, 

Of the aged and the youth. 

They entreated, and He tarried 
Teaching them of heavenly ways, 

To their hearts the truth was carried 
Through the two succeeding days. 

Near to Cana there resided 

In the town Capernaum 
One whose trusting heart confided 

When he bade the Master come. 

One whose youthful son was burning 

With a raging fever then; 
From all human aid is turning, 

Trusting not in human ken. 

Chuza and his wife Joanna 

Greet with joy their living son, 
Shout aloud their glad hosanna, 

How the joyful tidings run ! 



20 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Jesus saw one helpless creature, 

Invalid for forty years. 
Soon His sympathetic nature, 

Gave relief and stayed his tears. 

In the Temple Jesus taught them 
All the sleeping dead should rise, 

Whose idolatries had brought them 
Only vanity and lies. 

Justice full shall be accorded 
At the rising of the just, 

And the wicked be rewarded — 
All in vain their sinful trust. 

On the Sabbath, in the city 
Favored high, Capernaum, 

Many people seeking pity 
To the great Physician come. 

Noisy demons, raging fever, 
Disappear at His behest; 

Healing virtue like a river 
Saves the lowly and distressed. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 21 

E'en the wretched leper, praying 

Cries aloud, "Lord, cleanse Thou me!" 

When He speaks there's no delaying — 
Leprosy itself shall flee. 

In the public congregation, 

On the holy Sabbath day, 
Rulers of the Jewish nation 

Sought to take His life away. 

In the Synagogue one mortal 

There amid the multitude, 
Waits inside the sacred portal, 

Him the Master interviewed. 

Withered, was his hand suspended, 

But when Jesus spoke the word, 
Instantly it was extended, 

To completeness now restored. 

On the chilly mountain lonely, 

He employs the hours of night, 
Prostrate there in prayer only, 

'Till the dawn of morning light. 



22 THE BLOOD-STAINED CKOSS. 

Twelve apostles He selected, 

From the land of Galilee ; 
Publicans were not neglected, 

Well instructed they must be. 

Model sermon, rich in beauty, 
Was the sermon on the Mount, 

Making plain the path of duty ; 
Coming from the parent fount. 

Model prayer the Teacher gave them, 
Kindly taught them what, to say; 

Pray "Our Father" — (would He have them,) 
" Hallowed be Thy Name alway. 

Let Thy Kingdom Holy Father, 
Quickly come o'er land and sea, 

To Thy fold the nations gather, 
Let them worship only Thee ! 

Let Thy will, ! Father holy, 
As in Heaven, on Earth be done, 

And all people, high and lowly, 
Bow to Thee, Thou holy One. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 23 



Give to us, Thou bounteous Giver, 
Day by day our needful food, 

Flow Thy mercy like a river, 
Friend and foe alike include. 



All our sins do Thou forgive us, 
For like Thee would we forgive ; 

In no sore temptation leave us, 
Needful grace may we receive. 

From the evil one deliver, 
Keep us from his fatal snare, 

" Fiery darts " are in his quiver, 
Keep us in Thy constant care." 

Blest are they who heed His teaching, 
Through life's brief and tiresome road; 

Human wisdom, far o'erreaching, 
Worthy of the Son of God. 

In a city one resided, 

With a Roman garrison, 
Who a synagogue provided, 

When the people there had none. 



24 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

One whose servant was afflicted 
By the palsy, near to death ; 

But his death was interdicted, 

Through his master's matchless faith, 

From the bourne of death so lonely 
Brings to life and health again, 

By His mighty power only 

One whose Mother lived at Nain. 

From a prison dark and cheerless 

To the distant Galilee ; 
From the Baptist hold and fearless, 

Now in sad perplexity ! 

Messengers arrive and query, 

"Art Thou He who was to come?" 

John was waiting long and weary, 
Filled with doubt, despair and gloom. 

"Go and tell to him that sent you 
What you hear and what you see," 

This the answer I present you, 
This shall clear the mystery. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 25 

By request He once was dining 

With a haughty Pharisee ; 
There at noon-tide was reclining 

At the table, leisurely. 

Soon there came, not by appointment, 

One, sore-burdened by her guilt, 
Brings a box of precious ointment — 

See her heart in sorrow melt. 

Tenderly behind Him bowing, 

Demonstrates for Him her love, 
While her tears profusely flowing 

Her devotion to Him prove. 

Hear His gracious words then spoken, 
Words that ease her broken heart, 

Of his love a fitting token, 

! what joy His words impart. 

From a boat launched on the waters 

He addressed a listening crowd, 
From the commonest of matters, 

Rich instruction He bestowed. 



26 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Smoothly o'er the waters gliding, 

In a vessel small and frail ; 
Soon on angry billows riding, 

In a fierce, tempestuous gale ; 

He, who made the boundless ocean, 
Holds the tempest in His hand; 

Stills the turbulent commotion — 

Winds and waves heed His command. 

"Peace! Be still, ye raging billows!" 

Billows echo to the wind; 
" Peace !" He speaks ! a stillness folio ws- 

" Hear ye deaf, and look ye blind." 

Now the tranquil waters leaving, 
Walking on the eastern shore, 

From the tombs adjacent, raving, 
Naked, haggard, fierce and sore, 

Comes a man ; no fetters bind him, 
Demons hold supreme control ; 

Jesus speaks, when lo ! they mind Him, 
Disenthralled the captive soul. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 27 

See Jairus' only daughter, 

Silent in the sleep of death — 
He, who walks upon the water, 

Compensates her parents' faith ; 

Takes by hand the youthful sleeper 

And commands her to arise ; 
Angel guard has been her keeper, 

Now from death she opes her eyes. 

One in poverty was pining, 

Invalid for many years ; 
Stealthily she touched the lining 

Of the garment that He wears. 

Instantly she felt the merit 

Of the Master's healing power, 
Both in body and in spirit : 

Blooms in health like morning flower. 

Constant were His works of healing, 
Giving vision to the blind; 

To His mighty works appealing- 
Proof like this we nowhere find. 



28 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS, 

Now, His messengers, is sending — 

Does authority impart, 
Tells what dangers are impending, 

Springing from satanic art. 

Iterates specific labors — 

Urgent is the work to do; 
No delay, with friends and neighbors, 

I the pattern set for you. 

Like to sheep 'mongst wolves I send you, 
Harmless be like timid dove ; 

Constantly I will attend you, 
You my faithfulness shall prove. 

Give the loathsome leper healing, 

Fiercest demons exorcise, 
Give relief to all appealing, 

Bid the sleeping dead arise. 

In the desert congregated 

Were five thousand hungry men: 

Could their appetite be sated 
In the desert, there and then? 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 29 

On the grass in ranks reclining, 

He commanded them to be ; 
After thanks, they all were dining, 

That promiscuous company. 

Few the fishes, scant their measure, 
Small the loaves — one-fourth a score ; 

Could they look with any pleasure 
Were the loaves a hundred more ? 

From the elements surrounding 

He evolves the needed food, 
Thus His enemies confounding 

By the miracles He showed. 

When He walks the leaping billow, 
Quick subsides th' obsequious wind; 

Like the summer evening mellow 
Now becomes the troubled mind. 

With incessant labor weary 

He departs from Galilee; 
O'er the dusty way and dreary, 

To the borders of the sea. 



30 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

There a Gentile woman met Him, 
Overwhelmed, sadly distressed, 

Tearfully she did entreat Him, 
For her daughter, sore oppressed. 

Heed He gave to her petition, 
What she craved He did impart; 

Gentile, tho', no inhibition, 

When she came with trusting heart. 

Not a stinted crumb, this winner, 
From the Master did receive; 

Welcomes He, each trembling sinner, 
If they only do believe. 

From a cavern in the mountain 
Thence the Jordan's waters flow, 

Gushing from the parent fountain, 
Rushing through the vale below — 

So the waters of salvation, 

From the living Fountain flow, 

For the cleansing of the nation, 
Antidote for all our woe ! 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 31 

Peter told Him what men called Him, 

Who the leaping billows trod; 
Ere the Master had installed him 

He confessed the Christ of God. 

" Here my kingdom I am building, 

Moral architects are ye ; 
Righteousness its gates is gilding, 

And my Gospel is the key" 

Faith in me is Rock foundation, 
Firm and steadfast it shall prove; 

No satanic combination, 

Ever shall my Church remove. 

Not on Peter, fickle Peter, 

Is the living structure built, 
But a better name and sweeter, 

He sustains — who bore our guilt. 

When shall fall this granite mountain, 
Tow'ring high — eight thousand feet — 

When is dry the ocean fountain, 
May His church sustain defeat. 



32 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

On Mount Hermon He ascended, 



l ? 



Simon Peter, James and John, 
Others, two, from heaven descended, 
What a theme to dwell upon ! 

Moses to a Mount ascended 
From the sultry plain below ; 

There by Joshua attended, 
On the lofty Mt. Nebo. 

Thence surveyed the distant mountains, 

Carmel, Hermon, Lebanon; 
Limpid brooks from crystal fountains ; 

But his work on earth was done ! 

There he died the faithful Moses, 
At the age thrice forty years, 

Michael guards where he reposes; 
Not there Satan interferes. 

There Jehovah had provided, 
Just for him a lonely grave; 

In Jehovah he confided; 

Nothing more for him to crave. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 3$ 

There no costly shaft arises 

Like man makes for earl or duke, 

Better for what God devises — 
Moses left the Pentateuch! 

There was one distinguished seer,. 

And a holy Man of God, 
Not on earth had he a peer, 

Yet in solitude abode. 

On Mt. Carmel Ahab met him, 

Ahab with four hundred men; 
There they craftily beset him 

Instigated by the Queen. 

There the fire from heaven descended,, 

And consumed the sacrifice; 
From all harm is he defended, 

While to God on high he cries. 

He from threatened danger fleeing, 

Makes a tiresome pilgrimage ; 
Weary of his earthly being, 

Finds a welcome beverage. 



34 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Then the fugitive and stranger 
Skims along where Moses walked; 

Lo! The way-worn desert ranger, 
Talks with God as Moses talked! 

Hush! The solid rocks are rending 
By the earthquake, and the wind; 

But Jehovah's voice befriending 

Calms the frightened prophet's mind. 

Not at Horeb may he tarry, 
But must hasten on his way : 

He has messages to carry 
Which admit of no delay. 

Something better was provided, 
For his servant by the Lord, 

'Who by man was here derided; 
^Nought like it could earth afford, 

By his mantle he divided 

Waters which from Hermon flow, 

There a chariot was provided 
Just across from Jericho. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 35 

See him rising, rising, rising; 

Fifty prophets see him rise; 
Wonderful ! O ! How surprising ; 

Through the blue etherial skies. 

On Mount Hermon, heavenward rising 

Prophets two, apostles three — 
(I no fiction am devising — ) 

These comprise the company. 

! The glory, bright, transcendent ; 

Beaming from his form Divine ; 
With strange visitants attendant, 

See his face the sun outshine. 

Beaming from within this glory, 
Beaming through this fleshly veil; 

Wonderful this strange, strange story, 
Satan could not countervail. 

The Shekinah was apparent, 

As of Old it did appear, 
Which Almighty power did warrant, 

While Elohim's voice they hear. 



36 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Matthew tells how Simon Peter, 

As directed by the Lord; 
Takes a fish and finds a Stater, 

Just according to his word. 

Strange deposit, safe awaiting 
His behest, whom brutes obey; 

No event His plans frustrating, 
Nor His purposes can stay. 

Hear! He calls the thirsty to Him, 
"If you thirst come unto me;" 

Living water flowing through Him 
Now is offered full and free. 

Light effulgent now is streaming 
To illume the moral world; 

Lo ! " The Morning Star " is gleaming, 
Darkness from its seat is hurled. 

While the angry Jews beset Him 
He asserts His rightful claim ; 

Yet they scornfully entreat Him 
And condemn the Great-I-am. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 37 

At Mt. Olivet resided 

Just a little family ; 
For His wants they well provided 

At their home in Bethany, 

On His journey, weary often, 

Sought He rest at close of day; 
Mutual love can labor soften, 

Sympathy *can care allay, 

Martha and her sister Mary, 

Lazarus, all tried and true, 
Oft refreshing Him when weary, 

Gentle as the evening dew. 

At Beth-abara He tarried, 

On the Jordon's eastern shore ; 
One a message to Him carried 

Of affliction, sudden, sore. 

Ere He reached the place of weeping 

On the Jordon's western side 
Lazarus who seemed but sleeping, 

In reality had died. 



38 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

In a gloomy cave they place him, 
Roll a stone against the door; 

Shall they never more embrace him? 
Count the days, one, two, three, four. 

At the proper time, the Master 

Comes again to Bethany ; 
Now, ! Death ! Thou ruthless waster, 

He shall set thy captive free. 

" Jesus wept" with weeping Mary, 
Bade them take the stone away ; 

Scarcely longer could He tarry; 
For a moment hear Him pray. 

" Lazarus ! " the Master speaketh, 
He has loosed Death's iron band, 

And His voice the silence breaketh, 
Death itself heeds His command. 

Soon ten outcast lepers met Him, 
As He wends His weary way ; 

Nor in vain do they entreat Him, 
For He takes their plague away. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Going on toward the city, 

Where so many prophets died, 

While His heart o'erflows in pity, 
Takes His friends — the twelve aside. 

Tells them what was Him awaiting, 
At the coming Paschal feast, 

Carefully, the things relating 

To His foes, the scribe and priest. 

Tells them of the cup baptismal, 
He and they must be baptized; 

Brief the conflict, dreadful, dismal, 
When He should be sacrificed. 

When they'd passed the ancient city; 

Which the wary spies did view, 
One solicited His pity, 

Ere He reached the city new. 

Jesus there relieved his blindness, 
Who was called Bartimeus, 

Still His heart is filled with kindness,, 
He will do the same for us. 



39 



40 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

While in Simon's house a resting, 

Mary, Martha, Lazarus; 
Mary, well her Love attesting, 

Good example, sets for us. 

Pours the costly precious ointment. 

On her Masters sacred head : 
Not by chance, 'twas Heaven's appointment, 

Christ commends the worthy deed. 

Martha served at Simon's table, 

Lazarus was Simon's guest, 
Love unites them like a cable. 

Most divinely they are blest! 

By the wayside, quite apparent, 

See a barren, fig-tree stand; 
Then for fruit it gave no warrant, 

" Fruitless be " is His command. 

Nought but leaves it had afforded, 
Withered soon they all shall be; 

On the morrow was recorded 
" Withered leaves; sterility." 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 41 

They their garments cast before Him, 
With palm branches strew the ground. 

With Hosannas they adore Him, 
Hill and dale reflect the sound. 

Zion's King is riding slowly, 

On a beast unused before; 
David's Son is meek and lowly, 

Crowds assemble more and more. 

Instantly all sing " Hosanna," 

Like the bursting of a flame; 
Rocks and hills resound " Hosanna," 

Children join the loud acclaim. 

Trickling tear-drops chase each other, 
Wearing channels down His cheek; 

"Man of sorrows,'' "Elder Brother." 
Half Thy sorrows who can speak? 

He foretold the desolation, 

Which He saw was soon to be, 
Of their city, and their nation, — 

With prophetic certainty. 



42 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Now again within the Temple 
He rebukes their greed for gain, 

By remonstrance, stern and ample, 
He expelled them thence again. 

Now at length He leaves the Temple, 

Never more will He return; 
Ne'er was seen such sad example, 

In compassion see Him yearn. 

From this hour "My Father save me," 
"Father glorify Thy name!" 

In this sorrow do not leave me 
For, to rescue man I came. 

Hark! From heaven a voice resounding,. 

Coming through the vaulted sky, — 
Twice before that voice was sounding — 

"I my name will glorify." 

Privately, on Olive seated, 

He the future brings to view, 

Tells them of His work completed, 
In this dispensation new. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 43 

He foreshows the Roman legions, 

And the Temple's overthrow; 
Omens in the upper regions, 

Darkness o'er the land below. 

Dark the evening ; sad the greeting, 

In the place for Him prepared. 
With His twelve disciples meeting 

Every heart profoundly stirred. 

He performed a servant's duty; 

For He washed their sev'ral feet; 
Pattern set of graceful beauty 

And humility complete. 

Most surprising was that warning, 

"One of you shall me betray," 
E're the coming of the morning 

All of you will flee away. 

Then He used as sacred emblem 

Simply bread, and simply wine, 
After thanks, He gave unto them, — 

Soon He would His life resign. 



44 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Bread and wine revive the fainting; 

So His body and His blood, 
When the heart for God is panting, 

Constitute substantial food. 

"Eat this bread, 'tis fitting token, 
Drink this cup it shows my death," 

Keep in mind the words I've spoken, 
In my Gospel rest your faith. 

Gathered at that final meeting, 
Seated round the Paschal board; 

They the typic lamb were eating, — 
The disciples and their Lord. 

The prescient Master told them, 
One of them would Him betray; 

One of them would thrice deny Him ; 
All of them would run away. 

Treach'rous Judas quickly leaving, 
Hastes His crafty foes to meet; 

To preclude any deceiving, 

Bids them seize whom he should greet. 



THE BLOODSTAINED CROSS. 45 

Valiant Peter, self-reliant, 

With his hand upon his sword — 

Proud bravado ! How defiant ! — 
Ne'er would he forsake his Lord! 

Eagerly to Him they listen, 

Listen till the midnight hour; 
All inquietude they chasten. 

Grasp His words of silent power. 

Lest they loose them, He assures them, 

Of the coming Paraclete; 
Its fulfillment well secures them, 

Makes their memory complete. 

Having crossed the Cedron valley, 

Soon they reach Mount Olivet; 
To forget were worse than folly; 

Tears could ne'er repay the debt. 

Tongue of angel, might I borrow 

To portray the heavy load ; 
Ne'er on earth was seen such sorrow 

As o'erwhelmed the Son of God. 



46 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Ne'er shall fail one jot or tittle, 
Of the things of Him foretold; — 

Though to man it seem but little — 
One by one, shall all unfold. 

Having reached the place appointed, 
He selects the favored three, 

They attend Him, God's Anointed, 
There in sad Gethsemane. 

For a little space He leaves them, 
Yet bespeaks their sympathy; 

His stupendous sorrow grieves them, 
In the dark Gethsemane. 

Prone upon the earth He's falling, 
In the garden's shady bower; 

Hear Him cry — 0! How appalling — 
"Father save me from this hour!" 

See ! The bloody sweat is rushing 
From His face, a crimson tide, 

Forced by agony so crushing; 

"Why Thy face my Father hide?" 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 47 

But the three are lost in slumber; 

He the wine-press treads alone; 
None among the chosen number, 

But whose friendship seems withdrawn. 

"Father! Take this cup of sorrow" 

Now from me, Thine only Son, 
Lest I fall by Death's fell arrow, 

Ere my chosen work be done. 

But the bitter, dreadful chalice 
He must drain, nor would decline, 

Though His foes, from hellish malice, 
Jew and Gentile, all combine. 

While He struggles there in anguish, 
Gabriel comes with skill Divine; — 

There no longer may He languish — 
Brings from heaven an anodyne. 

Now from sleep, the three awaking, 

Asks them, " Would ye rest and sleep?" 

Me your Master now forsaking? 
Well might Salem's daughters weep. 



48 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Hark ! What mean those foot-steps stealing,. 

Stealthily as bandits steal? 
Torch and lantern, now revealing 

Fiends, that make the blood congeal. 

Vain, their war-like preparation, 

Their munitions all in vain ; 
He who came for man's salvation, 

Was from earth's foundation slain. 

When He saw the band approaching 

With their clubs, their swords and spears, 

On that hallowed place encroaching, 
In His mien, no fear appears. 

He advances then to meet them, 

Fearing not the fierce array; 
Kindly, gently, would He greet them, — 

Who but Judas leads the way? 

With great blandishment he hailed Him, 

And he kissed Him, to excess; 
But the Master thus unveiled him 

"Thou betray'st me with a kiss!" 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 49 

Soldiers turn their backs toward Him, 
On the ground they headlong fall; — 

(He'd no friends at hand to guard Him — ) 
"Conscience made them cowards all." 

When they rally, then they bind Him, 

Safely with a leathern thong; 
Crowds before Him, crowds behind Him, 

He's a lamb, to slaughter borne. 

Well was Peter's courage tested, 

Valiantly he wields his sword; 
When the Master was arrested 

By the midnight surging horde. 

There his well poised falchion gleaming 
Cleaves the luckless Malchus' ear. 

He a dashing hero seeming, 

But his rashness cost him dear. 

Then the Master chided Peter, 

Healed the wound his sword had made, 

Meekly bore the irksome fetter, — 
Peter sheathed his gory blade. 



50 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Peter follows near the rabble 
In the path the Master trod. 

Listens to the jeering babble, 
As they mock the Son of God. 

Simon must like wheat be sifted, 
And the chaff must be consumed; 

With true courage was he gifted, 
But he needs to be illumed. 

Soon they reach Caiaphas' palace 
In the darkness of the night ; 

Thirst for blood, and fiendish malice 
Scarce can wait the morning light. 

There he saw Caiaphas' waiter, 
In great hurry, passing near; 

jFix his flashing eye on Peter ; 
Whisper in the portress' ear. 

Thus environed in the palace, 
Hope departed, courage fled ; 

Peter cower'd before their malice 
When confronted by the maid. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 51 

Much bewildered then was Peter,. 

There inveigled by the crowd; 
For the moment it seemed better 

To abjure : he disavow'd 

All connection with the Master, 

Jesus Christ, of Galilee; 
Then his fears came fast, and faster, 

Like the wavelets of the sea. 

There by Satan was he sifted, 

But the chaff was blown away ; 
Soon the sombre cloud was lifted 

And his faith resumed the sway. 

! That kindly look of Jesus, 
Melts his heart in contrite tears. 

It from bitter sorrow frees us, 
Dissipates our doubts and fears. 

Yet the Master, still forsaken, 

Treads the wine-press all alone. 
But the work He's undertaken 

Very soon will all be done. 



52 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

See the people vainly raging, 
Futile all that they devise; 

War against Jehovah waging, 
They fulfill the prophecies. 

Quickly was His doom decided 
By the Jews and Roman power 

All, by fiendish malice guided, 
In that dark, and dreadful hour. 

While the multitude were sleeping 
Quietly all through the night, 

Frenzied men in ward, were keeping 
Him, the victim of their spite. 

He the galling fetter bearing, 
In the Council is arraigned, 

Annas then the Ephod wearing 
That prerogative maintained. 

Pertinent the answers given, 

To the questions, meant a snare; 

When that cruel blow was driven, 
Meekness showed beyond compare. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 53 

To Caiaphas, Annas sent Him, 
Like a lamb to slaughter brought; 

They through fraud would circumvent Him. 
Every charge with falsehood fraught. 

Patiently He looks and listens, 

Yet He opens not his mouth ; 
Truth confessed, His death but hastens 

Even in the prime of youth. 

"I adjure thee, I adjure thee," 

Said Caiaphas unto Him ; 
Let no flitting hope allure thee, 

Thou the Son of Elohim ? 

" Yes I am," The truth is spoken, 

And all power to me is given, 
I to you will show my token, 

Coming in the clouds of heaven. 

Now they rave and madly spite Him, 

Blinding now His weeping eyes; 
Jeer, and spit, they push and smite Him — 

More than this can hell devise? 



54 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Yes, with cruel blows repeated, 
They enjoin Him "Prophesy" 

Your imposture is defeated, 
Your pretensions we defy. 

Him they bring to Pontius Pilate, 
Bring in chains to Pilate's bar; 

As men chain the blood-stained pirate 
Captive in relentless war. 

Few the questions then propounded, 
Brief the answers Jesus gave ; 

Thus the Roman is confounded, 
By the Captive, silent, grave. 

Pilate tells the Jews assembled — 
Every charge was false pretense; 

All their witnesses dissembled, 
" I maintain His innocense." 

Even Herod's cunning failed him, 

Nor elicited a word ; 
For "That fox" found nought avail'd him, 

Save two men were in accord. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 55 

Fain would Pilate rescue Jesus, 

Gladly set the Captive free; 
Give discharge to Him who frees us 

From our own captivity. 

But he finds Himself unable 

To dissuade the angry crowd; 
Priest and ruler join the rabble, 

With one voice they cry aloud. 

" Whom shall I release unto you ?" 

Was the question put to them ; 
Take your choice, this moment do you, 

I ,no act of His condemn. 

They elect a conspirator, 

One whose hands were stained with blood, 
To the race of Man a traitor, 

And reject the Son of God ! 

" What shall I then do with Jesus ? 

Say, what evil hath he done?" 
What calamity may seize us, 

If we end what we've begun? 



56 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

" Crucify Him I" " Crucify Him I" 

Is the loud incessant cry; 
"Crucify Him!" We defy Him! 

Nothing less than crucify. 

" Hush ! They add this imprecation 
On ourselves and children too, 

Be His blood." Ah sinful nation ! 
What is done, you can't undo. 

How they scourge the Man of Sorrows, 
Who our ransom fully paid ; 

Plough His quiv'ring flesh in furrows, 
Crown with thorns His sacred head. 

In a gaudy robe regale Him, 

Mock the scepters monarchs use ; ' 

Bow the knee and loudly hail Him, 
Mocking: "Hail, King of the Jews!" 

Soon the final preparation 

For His tragic death is made ; 

The "Desire of every nation" 
Bears the Cross they on Him laid. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 57 

Soon He sinks beneath the burden, 
Weak from fasting, loss of blood; 

They enforce this cruel guerdon 
On the spotless Lamb of God. 

Simon bears the cross before Him, 

Followed by a weeping crowd ; 
They bewail Him, they deplore Him, — 

See their heads in sorrow bowed. 

Jesus turned and looked upon them 

With profoundest sympathy; 
Tenderly did He enjoin them 

In these words — " Weep not for Me ! " 

Tells them what was them awaiting, 

Tells them of their City's doom ; 
Providence their schemes frustrating, 

Whelming them in live-long gloom. 

They denude the fainting Jesus, 
Nail His hands, and nail His feet, 

To "The Blood-Stained Cross" that frees us, 
Makes us for His kingdom meet. 



58 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Then a wine-cup was presented, 
Not like that in Cana/ made ; 

To no opiate He consented, 
Looked to God for present aid. 

Gentile soldiers, most unfeeling, 
Pierce His hands, and ankles too; 

Thus to God is He appealing, 

"For they know not what they do." 

Others, two were placed beside Him, 
On His right, and on His left, 

'Twas not strange that they deride Him, 
Hardened by repeated theft. 

Then a title was suspended, 

From the Cross above His head, 

But the Jews were much offended 
Who that superscription read. 

On a tablet was appearing 

What the angry priests confuse, 

Blazoned fair; this title bearing, 
"Jesus is King of the Jews." 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 59 

Frantic men their malice venting 
Wag the head and bow the knee ; 

Priest and ruler, all combining 
Join the gen'ral mockery. 

E'en the callous malefactor, 

On the right, and on the left 
Each in railing was an actor, 

Of humanity bereft. 

But the one at last relented, 

In his dire extremity, 
Lo! In this we see presented, 

Marvel of sublimity; 

While in tears, his eyes are streaming, 

He is rilled with glad surprise, 
Light Divine on darkness gleaming, 

Now at hand is Paradise. 

Near the "Blood-Stained Cross" was Mary, 

So was John, whom Jesus loved; 
Jesus, though so worn and weary; 

Was by tender pity moved. 



60 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

He to John entrusted Mary, 
Filial was His last command ; 

Friends desert, when fortunes vary 
Duties still must know no end. 

Now 't is noon, yet darkness dismal 
Palls the land, like primeval night, 

While the darkness so abyssmal 
Veiled the Son of God from sight. 



"Eli, lama sabachthani ? " 
Hear the dying Savior cry 

Tell me Father, is there anj 
Succor for me, ere I die? 



Grief the Savior's heart has broken, 
No such sorrow earth had seen, 

Other words must yet be spoken, 
These shall end the dreadful scene. 

Great the work of God's Anointed, 
"It is finished!" — finished well! 

Finished all that God appointed, 
Finished by Immanuel. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 61 

"To Thy hand I yield my spirit." 

Father, I return to Thee; 
All in Heaven with joy may hear it, 

Joy be lost in ecstacy. 

Now the grief-worn Man of sorrows 

Bows in death His sacred head; 
Dried those tears, that ran in furrows ; 

He is numbered with the dead. 

Terribly the earth is shaking, 

And the Veil is rent in twain; 
Why ! Is God the earth forsaking ? 

Nature groans as if in pain. 

There His body still remaining, 

With a spear they pierce His side — 

(Prophecy, the deed constraining — ) 
Ope' afresh the cleansing tide. 

One prophetic declaration 

Yet remained to be fulfilled; 
There was made an excavation, 

In a garden Joseph tilled. 



62 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

There did Joseph bear in sorrow, 
Tenderly, his Savior dead; 

That new Tomb did Jesus borrow, 
"He'd not where to lay His head." 

Nicodemus, from his treasure 
Brings fine linen, clean and white; 

Spices brings in lib'ral measure 
Ere the coming of the night, 

They enwrap, and placing surely. 

In a rocky vault alone, 
Him they love; and place securely 

At the door, a pond'rous stone, 

Warden angel kept the portal, 
Where the Lord of angels lay; 

Rest in peace, Thou King Immortal, 
Till the great Sabbatic day. — 

Into Hades He descended, 
" To the nether Paradise." 

By no escort was attended, 
On a doubtful enterprise. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 63 

There the "spirits in that prison," 

Who foretold His coming, there 
Waited till their Savior risen, 

Should the prison gates unbar. 

There had angels borne the beggar 

Dying at the rich man's gate ; 
O'er the gulf, the rich man eager, 

Did for cooling water wait. 

There were those who mocked at Noah 

Who foretold the coming flood; 
'Till Jehovah shut the door. 

And submerged the multitude. — 

Soldiers came, with falchions gleaming 

Carefully they seal the stone; 
Of no danger are they dreaming 

'Till two days and nights are gone. 

"Not in Hades wilt Thou leave me, 

Nor my flesh corruption see," 
"Not like man wilt Thou deceive me, 

Ope' the gate and set me free ! " 



64 THE BLOOD-STAINED-CROSS. 

While the Roman Guard is sleeping, 
Lo! An angel clothed in white; 

Strange authority receiving; 
Comes on wings of morning light. 

What cares he for Pontius Pilate, 

Minion of Imperial Rome? 
What to him is Csesar's mandate 

And his seal upon the tomb ? 

What cared he though all earth's legions 
Guard the place where Jesus lay? 

Brightness from the upper regions 
Soon should fill them with dismay. 

Gabriel comes to ope' the portal, 
Rolling thence the stone away; 

Wake's to life the King Immortal 
On the new Sabbatic day. 

Death was vanquished by the Sleeper, 
On the morning of that day, 

Gabriel joins the inside keeper — 
Very short will be their stay. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 65 

Roman Soldiers, frightened badly. 

To the City run away ; 
Forge a lie, for money gladly; 

No one did that fraud betray. 

At the dawning of the morning 

Timid women come in haste, 
Nor had they a prior warning, 

Like the Magi from the East. 

Now with throbbing hearts they hasten 

To the place where Jesus lay; 
Flowing tears, like dew-drops glisten, 

"Who will roll the stone away?" 

Friend or foe, they know not whether, 

Had unbarred the entrance door; 
Hope and fear, perplexing pother, 

Fear prevailing more and more. 

Mary runs back to the City 

Bearing most unwelcome word; 

Those who heard were filled with pity — 

They have borne away my Lord. 

b 



66 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Some remained when she departed, 
Lab'ring still, in doubt and fear, 

While the world was merry hearted, 
He was gone, they held most dear. 

Soon with ialt'ring step and slowly, 
Enter they the Sepulcher; 

Whom they sought, so pure and holy, 
Was no longer lying there. 

There two white robed angels tarried, 
Leisurely where He had lain ; 

While sad tidings Mary carried, 
Having sought her Lord in vain. 

Highly honored legates royal, 
Who the tidings break to them; 

Highly honored women loyal, 
First to hear the joyful theme. 

Fear ye not ye broken-hearted, 

Neither be ye terrified ; 
He has risen, the tomb deserted, 

Seek not here the Crucified. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 67 

They return in great commotion, 

And obtain tho' wan and pale; 
Recompense, for their devotion, 

Jesus calls to them "All hail!" 

Two disciples soon appearing, 

Peter and the youthful John ; 
Some intrigue still vaguely fearing, 

Were convinced the Lord was gone. 

When they saw not there the Master, 

But the clothes in order laid; 
Thought came rushing faster, faster, 

He had risen from the dead. 

Mary follows John and Peter, 

To the place of sepulture; 
Coming there a little later, 

Looks inside the open door. 

Angels speak to weeping Mary 

When they saw her gushing tears, 

Should you weep? they kindly query, 
Send away your boding fears. 



68 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Mary turned and saw a Stranger, 
So she thought, but 'twas the Lord. 

He had waked, as in the manger 
Then " Rabboni " she adored. 

Two disciples filled with sadness 
Wend alone the weary way : 

But their grief was turned to gladness 
On that most eventful day. 

While they talked of hope frustrated, 
One, a Stranger, meets with them, 

They to Him, at length related 
What befell Jerusalem. 

Told Him all the wondrous story 
Of the Christ, the Nazarene, — 

" Ichabod, departed glory — " 

And that, angels some had seen. 

He the Scriptures then expounded ■ 
Which foretold His cruel death, 

Skeptic hearts thereby confounded; 
Doubts gave place to joyous faith. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 69 

Friendly night had spread its mantle 

O'er the place where they resort, 
Then His voice benignant, gentle, 

Quells their fears, who there consort. 

" Peace to you " be not affrighted. 

Not like man to you I give; 
Scrutiny He then invited, 

" Flesh and blood ye see me have." 

Yet once. more the Master meets them 
When the Sabbath eve had come ; 

As before, again He greets them 
In that consecrated room. 

"Faithless Thomas reach thy finger, 
Thrust thy hand into my side" — 

Let thy doubts no longer linger — 
Which the spear has opened wide. 

Thomas saw the wounds remaining, 
Whence the healing current flowed; 

Sight of these his faith constraining, 
He exclaims, "My Lord and God!" 



70 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

To their former craft returning, 

Fishermen of Galilee, 
Duties path not yet discerning, 

Launch their boat upon the sea. 

Often while the night was waning, 
Cast their net with ill success ; 

From their labor nothing gaining 
Save the gain of weariness. 

When in glory 'broke the morrow, 
"And the shadows fled away," 

They forgot their toil and sorrow ; 
For they heard the Master say 

Ye shall find, one effort making, 

"Cast the net on your right hand;" 

They comply and soon were taking 
Many fishes to the land. 

Three times fifty was the number, 
That the net did there enclose; 

Frail the strands which they encumber, 
Yet those strands did not unloose. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 71 

He was seen by many others, 

Half a thousand at one place; 
But His love, our Elder Brother's 

Did the Gentile world embrace. 

Thrice He questioned Simon Peter, 

If he did his Master love ; 
" Feed my lambs," this proof is better, 

Love to me this test shall prove. 

At Jerusalem they gather 

To receive His great command, 
Soon He's going to His Father, 

In a better, distant land. 

Where so oft' in sorrow meeting, 

In that sacred upper room ; 
Kindred spirits hold sad greeting 

When the final hour had come. 

Soon they leave with foot-steps gentle. 

Hidden from the public view, 
Sable night had spread its mantle, 

Ere they said to Him Adieu ! 



72 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Having reached their destination 

Favored Mountain, Olivet, 
Destined from the world's foundation, 

Man's redemption to complete; 

With His pierced hands extended, 
Once again for them He prays; 

In a cloud to Heaven ascended: 
Son of God. "Ancient-of-days!" 

Many saints in Death's dominions, 
Captive in those dark domains, 

Wake, as if on royal pinions, 

Angels came to loose their chains. 

Hear their cheerful dulcet voices, 
While the ransomed captives sing — 

How the vaulted heaven rejoices, — 
"Where O! Death is now thy sting?" 

Swift as thought through starry regions 
Their Redeemer leads the way ; 

Soon to join Angelic legions, 
In the realms of endless dav. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 73 

See ! The central Orb they're nearing, 

Where Jehovah holds His Throne, 
Where the angels, white robes, wearing, 

Wait for Him who did atone. 

At the pearly gates were waiting, 

Looking at the ransomed throng, 
There with ardor unabating. 

List to their exultant song. 

" Open wide, ye doors supernal, 

Ye debar but death and sin ; 
And ye pearly gates, eternal ; 

Let the King of Glory in !" 

"Who is He! This King of Glory? 

Leading this triumphant throng, 
Why His garments stained and gory? 

What the meaning of their song?" 

Jesus is the King of Glory, 

He is now the Conqueror, 
And His garments stained and gory, 

Badges of successful war! 



74 THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS. 

Thus they sing with cheerful voices 
"He redeemed us by His Blood," 

In the Cross each heart rejoices, 
They are kings and priests to God. 

Open stand the doors supernal 
Which debar but death and sin, 

Since the pearly gates eternal, 
Let the King of Glory in ! 



THE RETURN. 75 



The Return. 



Word was left when He ascended 
With the ransomed in His train 

With the same who Him attended 
He would come to earth again. 

'Till Thou come, incarnate Jesus 
We will labor, watch and pray. 

Trust that promise, 'till it frees us; 
Why so long is Thy delay? — 

In the world's primeval morning 
Man, expelled from Paradise ; 

To idolatry soon turning, 

Gloated in his shame and vice. 

Firm remained the primal seer 

Faithful 'mong the faithless found, 

Faithful was, year after year 

'Till three hundred rolled around. 



76 THE RETURN. 

" Enoch walked with God, Jehovah, 
Who foretold him what should be, 

Drew aside the misty cover 
Of remote futurity. 

He from Adam had descended. 

Generations passed away. 
But His servant God befriended 

And the future did portray. 

Told him every tribe and nation 
On the earth should be destroyed, 

Universal desolation 

Through the agency employed, 

By a flood of mighty waters 
Through the supervening days 

All of Adam's sons and daughters 
Vengeance meet in dire amaze. 

Yet a few, just eight in number 
Should survive the deluge vast; 

Undisturbed their quiet slumber 
'Till the indignation passed. 



THE RETURN. 77 

Told to Him the wond'rous story 

Of His Son for sinners slain : 
Of His cross, encrimsoned, gory; 

His descent to earth again. 

Enoch saw the Judge descending, 

(No injustice did impute;) 
With ten thonsand saints attending 

Judgment just to execute. 

Through unerring inspiration 

Saw them meet their due rewards ; 

Rich and poor, of every station 

For their impious deeds and words. 

Uniform the sacred teaching 

Touching His return to earth, 
To the distant future reaching, 

Planned before Creation's birth. 

Angels sang redemption's story 
When they saw the work complete. 

Yet again in realms of glory 
Shall the hallowed song repeat. 



78 



THE RETURN. 



They attended Him ascending 

To His throne, exalted high ; 
They will come with Him descending 

And will shout, "The Bridegroom nigh." 

When He comes to judge the nations 
He Himself will lead the way, 

And assign to all their stations, 
Fill His foes with dire dismay. 

Through the long succeeding ages 
Since the Lord ascended high ; 

Many hearts one thought engages, 
While they wipe the tearful eye. 

Hope deferred makes heartfelt sickness, 

Such is human nature here ; 
For man's strength at best is weakness 

When beset by doubt and fear. 

Long the Church for Him has waited, 
Borne the scoffs of wicked men, 

Who the Cross of Christ have hated, 
Questioned if He'd come again. 



THE RETURN. 

Through succeeding ages waited, 
Careful scanned the prophecies; 

He will come, found often stated; 
Trusted in the promises. 

Not as at its primal coming 

Will He come the second time; 

Now we see the dusky gloaming, 
But we wait time's funeral chime. 

When the reaper /angels gather 
Harvest of the land and sea; 

Then 0! holy, righteous Father! 
What shall then the harvest be? 

When the Son comes in His glory, 
Saints and angels in His train, 

With His vesture stained and gory 
Once the Lamb for sinners slain; 

He shall sit on throne supernal, 
And all nations gathered there 

Then shall see the King eternal, 
Joyful some, some in despair. — 



79 



80 THE RETURN. 

While the world unconscious sleeping 

Waited for returning day, 
Wakeful shepherds vigils keeping 

Hasted where the Savior lay. 

Night its sable mantle spreading 
Wrapped the world in calm repose: 

When death's captives He was leading 
Rescued from the last of foes. 

Yet once more at midnight coming 
As a bridegroom for his bride ; 

Far beyond the distant gloaming 
Open stands the portal wide. 

At the midnight hour — surprising — 
From the summons none can save ; 

Suddenly the dead are rising 
From the long forgotten grave. 

Some for refuge loudly calling, 
None give heed to their demand : 

In this day of wrath appalling 

Who shall now have power to stand? 



THE RETURN. 81 

List! A joyful proclamation. 

" Come my people to my rest. 
Hide with me; this indignation 

Shall at length be overpast." 

Now the ambient heavens are burning; 

Earth volcanic feels the woe: 
Men for safety vainly yearning ; 

Nature feels her mortal throe. 

Now appears the Son anointed, 
Throned upon the Judgment seat, 

By His Father once appointed 
To fulfil and make complete 

All the prophecies betoken ; 

Spoke by holy men of old. 
For His Word cannot be broken ; 

All its links together hold. 

Not jot, nor yet one tittle 

Of the word of prophecy 
Now shall be accounted little, 

From the first, to Malachi.— 



82 THE RETURN. 

Now upon His throne of glory: 
Near the throne all nations stand ; 

Greece and Rome, Chaldea hoary; 
Every tribe, from every land ; 

And await their final sentence 
From the Jews' rejected King. 

Nought avails their mock repentance, 
No apology they bring. 

Like to goats from sheep divided 
Those to left and these to right; 

Righteously has He decided, 

Those to darkness, these to light. 

Of His work the consummation 

Is forever now complete : 
Earth has passed its conflagration : 

Every foe beneath His feet. 

All He undertook is finished, 
Now has come the final end : 

From His work was naught diminished, 
God alone could comprehend. 



THE RETURN. 83 

Now the trio, Judas, Pilate 

And Caiaphas stand aghast; 
Stained by blood, like blood-stained pirate 

And recall the dreadful past. 

But the sons of light are carried 

To their home of light and bliss. 
For the Bridegroom, long they tarried, 

For the Son of Righteousness. 

When the trump of Gabriel sounded 

Heard through heaven, through earth and hell, 

Time, so limited and bounded, 
'Twas of it the funeral knell. 

But Eternity! Astounding! 

Boundless as unmeasured space 
Rolls in cycles; thought confounding ; 

Infinite, and measureless. 

Not unlike the darkness ancient 

Is the final darkness now. 
Bating this, the old was transient, 

But this night no morn shall know. 



84 THE RETURN. 

Slow the pendulum is swinging, 
Cycles come and go, between : 

Yet no change are eons bringing, 
Though long ages intervene. 



MESSIANIC HYMN. 85 



Messianic Hymn. 



0! Thou who wast ordained of God, 

The Lamb for sinners slain. 
Eternity is Thine abode, 

Eternal be Thy reign. 

Thine eye surveys the circling years, 

All things are in Thy hand; 
Thou markest the course of rolling spheres, 

They move at Thy command. 

The morning stars sang out for joy, 

The orbs in concert move; 
The sons of God their tongues employ 

In harmony and love. 

Let all the angels worship Thee, 

Sing loud ye saints on high; 
His Cross secured your victory, 

Ye heard the Bridegroom's cry. 



86 MESSIANIC HYMN. 

Our sins and sorrows Thou didst bear 

In dreadful agony; 
To Thee we look in earnest prayer, 

Our faith shall rest on Thee. 

In death's dark vale, and gloomy shade 

Distrust and fear shall flee. 
We hear Thee say "Be not afraid 

My staff thy comfort be." 

In the dark grave our flesh shall rest 

Of sin and death the prey; 
The gloomy grave the Victor blest 

Before us led the way. 

Then in the resurrection morn 

Thou Lamb for sinners slain; 
Thou who didst bear the scourge and thorn, 

We'll rise and with Thee reign. 



THE CROSS ONLY. 87 



The Cross Only, 



God forbid that I should glory 

Saving only in the Cross; 
Joyful sing the grand old story, 

All things else I count but dross. 

Worthy is the Lamb forever 
To receive our highest praise ; 

Sing all heaven, with glad endeavor, 
Sing all earth in joyful lays. 

^Vith our songs we bow before Him- 
Lofty strains the angels pour — 

Vie with angels and adore Him, 
Than the angels praise Him more. 

Here He was a "man of sorrow," 
Oft in anguish bowed His head. 

Often prayed 'till dawning morrow 
O'er the world its glories shed. 



% THE CROSS ONLY. 

In the garden cheerless, dreary, 
Twice upon His bended knee, 

Hear your Savior so aweary, 

"Father take this cup from me." 

His disciples fled and left Him, 
He the wine-press trod alone, 

When the sword of justice cleft Him 
For our sins did He atone. 

Now upon the cross they nail Him, 
Whelmed in agony and blood; 

Fiends and demons now assail Him 
While forsaken of His God. 

Soon the earth was rudely shaking, 
And the sun in darkness veiled : 

All the realms of nature shaking, 
Zion's daughters loudly wailed. 

On the third auspicious morning 
Angels rolled the rock away, 

Friend and foe, alike forewarning 
Of the calm triumphal day. 



THE CROSS ONLY. 89 

• 

From the consecrated mountain 

He ascended far on high — 
Olivet, thou sacred mountain ! 

He has left thee for the sky. 

Passing through the shining portal, 

He resumed His royal throne ; 
Reign forever King immortal! 

There make all Thy glories known. 



90 THE GUEST CHAMBER. 



The Guest Chamber. 



In a large upper room for the Master prepared 

When night spread its mantle and the angels 
kept ward, 

Were the flock with their Shepherd, and as Moses 
had said 

Was the Paschal Lamb eaten with the unleav- 
ened bread. 

No leaven of wine there, nor leaven of bread, 
The "fruit of the vine" shows my blood which 

is shed ; 
This bread and this cup bring my passion to 

view, 
And keep in remembrance what I suffer for you. 

Nor Judas was there all so greedy for gold, 

A thief and a devil, his Master that sold; 

For Him they were waiting, the priest and the 

scribe, 
Who eagerly seized the vile lucre, the bribe. 



THE GUEST CHAMBER. 91 

• 

When the Shepherd was smitten the flock fled 

astray, 
But soon were returning the well-beaten way; 
Three days in a garden He silently lay 
'Till an angel came down and the stone rolled 

away. 

While Mary stood weeping with sorrow -bowed 

head, 
The angel assured her He was living, the dead; 
In haste she departed leaving sorrow and gloom 
As her Master had left in proud triumph, the 

tomb. 

Soon Peter and John came in haste to the place, 
For the message of Mary had quickened their 

pace; 
The tomb was deserted; the grave clothes were 

there, 
Nicely folded in order, with diligent care. 

From a wearisome walk two disciples returned 
Rehearsing the tale, how their hearts in them 
burned, 



92 THE GUEST CHAMBER. 

Related in order the things that He said, 
And told how they knew Him " In breaking of 
bread." 

There twice in the evening His disciples consort, 
And twice there He meets them in that place of 

resort ; 
Bequeathes them His blessing of peace and good 

will, 
In words once so potent the rude tempest to 

still. 

In that sanctified room when the Pentecost came, 
The Spirit came down like a pure lambent 

flame; 
There the baptismal waters like the Spirit were 

pour'd. 
Three thousand converted and join'd to the Lord. 

In a vast upper room many mansions remain, 
And the song which they sing is the " Lamb 

that was slain," 
While the robes that they wear are clean linen 

and white, 
No candle is needed for the Lord gives them light. 



LIGHT AT EVENING TIME. 93 

Light at Evening Time. 

ZECHARIAH 14, 7. 

MORNING. 

Primeval man; how blest his state, 
For peace and joy upon him wait; 
Bland zephyrs waft a rich perfume, 
All Nature smiles in primal bloom. 

No discord now comes on the air, 
Harmonic sounds are everywhere; 
By dainty fruits the trees are fiU'd, 
Through all the garden Adam till'd. 

No noxious weeds the earth o'er spread, 
Nor noisome vapors overhead; 
No beast of prey lurks to destroy; 
Nor hateful reptile to annoy. 

To sate his hunger man applied 
To fairest fruits, on every side; 
He slakes his thirst at fount or rill, 
Obedient to his Maker's will. 



94 LIGHT AT EVENING TIME. 

NOON. 

Misguided man ! How changed his state ; 

More terrible impending fate ; 

To Eden fair he bids adieu, 

Its fruitful bowers no more to view. 

But doom'd to daily irksome toil, 
To cultivate the sterile soil; 
With throbbing brow to eat his bread; 
With scanty fare his table spread. 

Like beast of prey man gloats in blood, 
Averse to holiness and God; 
Of every vice a willing slave, 
Of lust insatiate as the grave. 

Earth's vast creation writhes in pain, 
Vice has its many millions slain ; 
From earth and sea to vaulted skies 
The wails of untold sorrows rise. 

EVENING. 

The Second Adam shall restore 
What the First Adam lost before ; 



LIGHT AT EVENING TIME. 95 

The wasted earth shall well repair; 
And purify the baleful air. 

The barren fields from long repose 
Revive, and blossom as the rose ; 
While beasts and birds as harmless prove 
As timid lamb or turtle-dove. 

The lion with the lamb shall lie, 
The tiger cease his frightful cry; 
The timid dames dismiss their fears, 
And children live a hundred years. 

New heavens and earth will God create, 
And man regain his primal state; 
All nature swell this tuneful chime, 
"It shall be light at evening-time." 



96 THE CLEANSING FOUNTAIN. 



The Cleansing Fountain. 



A Fountain is open for you and for me, 
Like the waves of the ocean, so boundless and free; 
Like the breeze in the forest with aroma sweet, 
The senses regaling with pleasure complete. 

CHORUS. 

O ! Come to the Fountain, be cleansed from your 

stains 
In the water and blood, from Immanuel's veins. 

'Twas not in a garden, of green shady bowers ; 
Where the way-worn and weary pluck beautiful 

flowers ; 
Where strains of sweet music fall soft on the ear, 
The spirit transporting by harmony clear. 
Chorus : O ! Come. 

To a lone dreary garden see your Savior repair 
On His face prostrate falling in agonized prayer; 



THE CLEANSING FOUNTAIN. 97 

Hear Him cry to His Father " Why forsake now 

Thy Son? 
Yet ! Father not my will, but Thy will be done." 
Chorus : ! Come. 

The thorn and the purple, the nail and the spear 
Close up the sad drama; the angels appear; 
Death's bands cannot hold Him, the conquering 

King ; 
Let earth now be joyful, and heaven loudly sing. 
Chorus : ! Come. 

Like the dew-drops descending on Hermon's fair 
Mount 

Are the blessings unnumbered from this sancti- 
fied Fount; 

We'll lave in its waters that cleans us from sin, 

As the Syrian leper was in Jordan made clean. 
Chorus : ! Come. 

This Fountain of cleansing we hail with delight 
As the lost and benighted hail the dawning of light; 
Unbounded its fulness, unceasing its flow, 
Assuaging our sorrows, relieving our woe. 
Chorus : ! Come to the Fountain. 

7 



98 SORROW. 



SORROW. 



No other word can so express 
Man's portion here as sorrow; 

Our dearest friends whom we caress 
May bid adieu to-morrow. 

The broken tie to earthly bliss 
Fills full our hearts with sorrow; 

We always should remember this, 
And boast not of to-morrow. 

Death comes apace with shaft and bow, 

Swift flies his fatal arrow; 
Unbidden tears in torrents flow 

JLike waters in a furrow. 

So Jesus wept while here on earth, 
Oft was o'er whelmed in sorrow ; 

No time, no taste for senseless mirth, 
We should His pattern borrow. 



SORROW. 99 

There surely is a better land 

Beyond the reach of sorrow; 
Our tears of grief shall have an end, 

We'll greet our friends to-morrow. 

In that fair land of blissful rest, 
Which we may gain to-morrow; 

A hand unseen supremely blest 
Shall wipe the tear of sorrow. 



100 THANKSGIVING HYMN. 



Thanksgiving Hymn. 



Thanks to Thee Thou bounteous Giver, 
For supplies of needful food, 

Flowing daily like a river, 

From the Fount of every good. 

Health and friendship, precious treasure 
From our Father's bounteous hand; 

Home and plenty without measure; 
Peace prevailing through the land. 

Far above all price the message 

In the Gospel of Thy Son. 
Most minutely page and passage 

Shows us what Thy grace has done. 

" Bread of life " ! Daily give us 
" Living water " gifts of love ; 

Then at last do Thou receive us 
To our endless home above. 



THE APOSTLES' CREED. 101 

The Apostles' Creed. 

PARAPHRASED. 

I believe in God the Father; 

Tremblingly His name repeat ; 
Endless glories round Him gather — 

Bow adoring at His feet. 

I believe in the Messiah 

Jesus Christ, God's equal Son; 
Find in Him my chief desire, 

Trust my all in Him alone. 

He who came in human nature 

To redeem from sin and death, 
Once appear'd in infant stature, 

Came from heaven to earth beneath. 

I believe His crucifixion 

Which He suffer'd in my stead; 

I believe His resurrection, 

That He rose and left the dead. 



102 THE APOSTLES' CREED. 

I believe in His appearing 

Once again to judge mankind; 

But my heart is sometimes fearing 
That I may be left behind. 

Equal honor to the Spirit 

Cheerfully do I accord : 
Far beyond angelic merit, 

Father, Spirit and the Word. 

Maranatha, I receive it, 

" Come, Lord, Jesus, quickly come 
Maranatha, I believe it, 

Come and take Thy children home 

To the Father, Son and Spirit 
Equal praise and glory be; 

Laud each name, angels revere it; 
Three in one and one in three. 






DEFINITION OF PATIENCE. 103 



Definition of Patience. 



BY A SCOTTISH GIRL. 

"Wait a wee and dinna weary" 

Said a litte Scottish child. 
Through the night, though dark and dreary, 

Through the tempest fierce and wild. 

Scottish maid ! Thy words of beauty 

Come to us across the sea ; 
Point to us the path of duty. 

Patiently we'll wait a wee. 

This is what the prophet told us 

In the ages long ago : 
" Lasting arms shall e'en uphold us " 

Its fulfillment God will show. 

Firmly stand when foes assail us, 
Sad and dark our path may be, 



104 DEFINITION OF PATIENCE. 

Cheerful songs may there avail us 
Patiently we'll wait a wee. 

In. the darkness daily, nightly, 
Fairest visions we may see, 

Beatific ; shining brightly ; 
Patiently we'll wait a wee. 



DROUGHT, AND OPPORTUNE RAIN. 105 



Drought, and Opportune Rain. 



All Nature mourns the drought severe: 
The fields and forests parched and sere, 
The tunefull birds forebear to sing; 
The earth withholds its offering. 

The burning sun from day to day 
Incessant pours its scourching ray; 
No cloud umbrageous now is seen 
The sun and dusty earth between. 

"The lowing herds roam o'er the lea," 
Where grass abundant used to be ; 
The cisterns and the streams are dry; 
God waits to hear His children cry! 

Nor shall they cry to Him in vain; 
His stores can give redundant rain ; 



106 DROUGHT, AND OPPORTUNE RAIN. 

Refreshing showers descend to bless, 
And earth resumes her gorgeous dress. 

,r Tis the reviving of the dead. 
Man's boding fears dispelled and fled. 
" God in the wilderness can spread 
A table " of the choicest bread. 



BAPTISMAL WATERS. 107 



Baptismal Waters. 



" He shall sprinkle the nations," both Gentile and 
Jew; 

''Clear water" is plenty in rain-drop and dew; 

But the agent in cleansing is the Lamb's sprin- 
kled blood, 

It makes us accepted as children of God. 

Limpid water is typic and points to the blood 
Which cleanses the sinner and brings him to God ; 
Assuages the thirst of the penitent poor 
It serves a " good conscience " tho' it sprinkle or 
pour. 

Oft Babel's proud monarch was " wet by the dew" 
As year after year so laggardly flew ; 
'Till reason returned like morn after night 
Or the life-bringing current after winter's long 
blight. 

When Jacob left Egypt by Moses' command 
The sea was a wall on the right and left hand; 



108 BAPTISMAL WATERS. 

Pure water came down from a cloud overhead* 
Baptizing the people by Moses then led.f 

On the hands of Elijah "Clean water was pour'd" 
By his servant Gehazi, the scriptures record. 
When from market the people went home to eat 

bread 
Their hands they baptized the scriptures have 

said. 

Six pitchers of water for occasional use 
At Cana were furnished; there was never excuse 
For neglectful defilement : the water was pure ; 
By sprinkling or pouring their cleansing was sure. 

Two disciples went forth by command of their 

Lord 
A room to secure which would comfort afford; 
In quest of a chamber; a good man they meet 
With a pitcher of water for their hands and their 

feet. 

To the house of Cornelius Simon Peter went in, 
And there preached the Gospel ; salvation from 
sin. 



<Ps. LXXVII, 16-20. fl <"or. 10, 2. 



BAPTISMAL WATERS. 



109 



None there withheld water for baptismal rite 
For the hard heart was broken, and the spirit 
contrite. 

In the scriptural cleansing, clean water is used 
In the name of Father and Spirit diffused ; 
And the sweet name of Jesus is added thereto, 
Only these are essential to make the rite true. 

His yoke is so easy His burden so light 
There need be no turning to left or to right. 
In the jail at Phillippi was water to lave. 
For Christian ablution what more could one crave? 



110 A DEDICATORY HYMN. 



A Dedicatory Hymn, 



Our votive thanks to Thee we bring, 
O, Lord, our Maker and our King; 
Our hearts and voices here we raise 
And join to celebrate Thy praise. 

Long may this house be Thine abode, 
An earthly palace for our God; 
The three in one, and one in three, 
Fill every heart with ecstacy. 

Here prayer and praise be our employ, 
While we express our holy joy; 
Abundant peace may we possess 
From Thee, Lord, our righteousness. 

The Gospel of good will to men, 
Of Him who once for us was slain, 
Be spoken in sincerity; 
Our constant theme it e'er shall be. 



A DEDICATORY HYMN. Ill 

With joy, the summons we'll obey 
That calls us here, from earth away; 
No other place can well compare 
With this our Father's house of prayer. 

All glory to the living God ; 
The highest heav'n is His abode; 
Our highest honors here we bring 
And sound the praises of our King. 



112 PURE WATER. 



PURE WATER. 



It glistens in the morning dew, 
Descends in fruitful showers; 

It murmurs in the merry brook, 
And cheers the vocal bowers. 

Gives beauty to the rainbow tint 
And beauty to the flower; 

Gives vigor to the lab'ring swain 
And nerves his arm with power. 

'Tis chosen for baptismal rite, 

The sacrament divine ; 
A fitting emblem 'tis, through which 

The cleansing graces shine. 

It percolates the teeming earth, 

It permeates the air; 
It pulsates in our num'rous veins 

Is present every everywhere. 



PUEE WATER. H3 

It rushes through the shady dell, 

It leaps adown the mountain : 
It sparkles in the crystal well, 

And gushes from the fountain. 

Oft as we quaff the healthful draught 

This boon benignly given, 
We'll pray that we may freely share 

The antitype in heaven. 



114 GOD OUR REFUGE. 

God our Refuge. 

PSALM 46. 

The Lord is our refuge, our fortress and tower 
When troubles assail us then God is our shield. 

We'll trust His protection when angry clouds lower 
Tho' earth rudely tremble, our faith shall not 
. yield. 

When loud howls the tempest in God we'll confide, 
The winds and the billows obey His behest; 

Through storm and o'er billow in safety we'll ride 
Obeying His fiat, the billows shall rest. 

Here flow crystal waters; perennial waters, 
To gladden fair Zion, the city of God. 

0! Come to the waters, ye famishing daughters 
For here is provided a peaceful abode. 

Munitions of warfare, the spear and the arrow 
Are futile devices when God is shield; 

Our foes shall inherit confusion and sorrow 
While He to His children His aid shall afford. 



UNIVERSAL PRAISE. 115 



u 



NIVERSAL rRAISE. 



Let all the people praise the Lord. 
Join heart and voice in one accord. 
In lofty strains ye angels bring 
Due tribute to your heavenly King. 

We praise Thee for Thy love to man; 
Through heaven the joyful tidings ran; 
And angels brought the news to' earth, 
Glad tidings of the Savior's birth. 

His love to man we celebrate, 
Who was rejected by the great; 
All other joys we count but dross, 
And glory only in the Cross. 

We praise Thee for Thy Spirit given 
To lead our wayward feet to heaven ; 
The heart of stone to take away 
And lead us in the better way. 



116 UNIVERSAL PRAISE. 

We praise Thee for Thy day of rest 
Most precious, most divinely blest; 
We praise Thee for Thy Book divine, 
In which such grace and glory shine. 

We praise Thee for the gift of song; 
Thy love inspiring heart and tongue. 
No such delight can earth afford. 
Let all the people praise the Lord. 



THE POISON WEED. 117 



The Poison Weed. 



Of all the vile and noxious weeds 
By which the earth is cursed 

For sinful man's depravity, 
Tobacco is the worst. 

Man's primal work it was 

To keep the garden fair : 
The orange and the lemon bloomed, 

The rose perfumed the air. 

"Prohibit" was engraved upon 

One solitary tree ; 
"Taste not nor touch forbidden fruit" 

All other fruit was free. 

Infracted was the stern command: 
The woman made for man, 

Was lured, deceived, ensnared in sin: 
Sorrow and death began. 



118 THE POISON WEED. 

In vengeful wrath Jehovah said 

The thistle and the thorn, 
The fruitful earth shall soon o'erspread 

And choke the growing corn. — 

Jannes and Jambus once withstood 

Two holy men of God ; 
And seeming miracles they wrought 

Like those by Aaron's rod. 

So Satan thought within himself 

To equal or exceed ; 
And instantly by magic skill 

Produced a poison weed. 

It penetrates the food we eat, 

It permeates the air; 
Is forced into reluctant lungs, 

Like pestilential air. — 

'Tis sending up a baleful smoke 

Like Tartarus below; 
It binds its victims to a yoke 

Of misery and woe. — 



THE POISON WEED. 119 

The glory of Mount Lebanon 

The fir-tree dressed in green, 
Shall well adorn the verdant earth 

Where briars and thorns have been. 

The mountain and the plains shall sing; 

The islands of the sea; 
"No poison weed, no poison drink, 

It is earth's jubilee." 



120 LET ME DIE SOBER. 



Let Me Die Sober. 



let me die sober when summoned away, 
My life gently fading like evening's last ray; 
let me die sober, for who could desire 
Expiring in darkness — as meteors expire? 

let me die sober, as martyrs have died, 
In righteousness clad, like the robes of a bride ; 
In peace with my conscience, in peace with man- 
kind, 
The earth with its trifles and pomps left behind, 

The waves in commotion leap up in delight, 
Exulting from joy, kiss the ocean-washed height. 
Exempted from bondage, in triumph I'll sing 
Of unsullied pleasures, no wine-cup can bring. 

Vile poisonous nostrums have tainted the air, 
Humanity pleading, cries " doctor ! borbear," 
With vision unclouded while struggling with 

death 
I'll show to the skeptic the triumph of faith. 



LET ME DIE SOBER. 121 

See priest at the altar misguided through wine 
Abihu and Nadab, through fruit of the vine; 
Then let me die sober when passing away 
And quaff limpid waters in lands far away. 



122 MALUM PERSE. 



Malum Perse. 



" With the point of a diamond" as all men may see 
Are written strange letters; they are m-a-1-u-m- 

p-e-r-s-e ; 
A demon is lurking in wine-cup and bowl, 
It poisons the body, it fetters the soul. 

The fang of the serpent, the adder's fell sting 
To man, when in sorrow, no solace can bring; 
Their badge and their venom time can never set free ; 
Forever remaineth their m-a-1-u-m-p-e-r-s-e. 

Mystic letters were written in Babel of old 
Near the vessels of silver, and goblets of gold; 
M-e-n-e-t-e-k-e-1-u-p-h-a-r-s-i-n, for Belshazzar to see : 
The wine in those vessels, was m-a-1-u-m-p-e-r-s-e. 

Away with the wine-cup; I spurn its control, 
It poisons the body, it fetters the soul; 
From the fetters it forges thank God I am free. 
Indelibly written is m-a-1-u-m-p-e-r-s-e. 



O TEMPORE ! O MORES. 123 



O Tempore ! O Mores ! 



O Tempore ! Mores ! I am led to exclaim 
When I think of my country's dishonor and 

shame. 
Three pence for each pound was the tax on the tea 
Which our puritan fathers cast into the sea. 

A tax and a burden more galling has come 
Enshrouding our nation in sorrow and gloom ; 
While those who should aid us refuse us their aid 
Their chief occupation political trade! 

The oak in the forest with branches spread wide 
Through the centuries past has the tempest defied. 
The oak in the forest betokens decay, 
As branch after branch to the ground falls away. 

Would you seek for the reason ? the reason we see, 
A worm is at work in the trunk of the tree; 
And slowly but surely is eating its way 
Every inch that is eaten, but hastens decay. 



124 O TEMPORE ! O MORES. 

A beautiful tree in our land has long stood, 
Its graceful proportions and fruit very good; 
Enriched by the blood of our sires gone before 
Sends its umbrageous shadow to the most distant 
shore. 

Our Puritan fathers cross a turbulent sea, 

On the soil of New England plant this beautiful tree ; 

Soon the birds of ill omen flap their wings as 

they come 
With the vessel that brings the first cargo of rum. 

"Sic semper tyrannis" inscribed let it be 
Through the land cis-Atlantic ; the land of the free ; 
We spurn the dominion of lager and rum; 
Let law give protection to loved ones and home. 

Shall we tax or give licence? both mean the same 

thing 
A few paltry dollars paltry revenue bring; 
Let the ballots of freemen their purpose fulfill 
And hasten the death of the worm of the still. 



THE EXODUS. 125 



The Exodus. 



Can the spots of the leopard of various hue 
Be changed by volition, his nature be new? 
Can the Ethiop's dermis so somber and tan 
Become at his bidding just like the white man? 

Can prickling brambles grapes ever afford 

With " wine in the cluster " each nell with it 

stored ? 
Can the fig from the thistle evolve for our use? 
Can the alkaline fountains sweet water produce? 

It never can be, the thing is absurd; 
No such freak of nature has ever occurred; 
Since " like begets like " it is dame natures rule, 
Who thinks otherwise is next to a fool. 

u God mend me." This sentence the poet often used 
Whenever he blundered, from being confused. 
The page in his presence scanned the ill-shapen man 
And quickly responded as only boys can. 



126 THE EXODUS. 

u 'Twould better befit him to make something new, 
Than taxing his patience to remodel you." 
The thought is a good one ; God works in this way 
The old in removing which threatens decay. 

The great Martin Luther, heroic and true 
"A wise master builder" from the base builded new; 
On a rocky foundation the building must stand, 
'Till the waves shall recede from the surf-beaten 
strand. 

The greatest Reformer the world ever knew, 
Of Him it is written " I make everything new." 
With Him for our Leader, His word for our guide 
Our foes shall surrender whatever betide. 



TEMPERANCE REVIVAL. 127 



Temperance Revival. 



Say what means this great commotion 

Through the borders of the land, 
Like the billows of the ocean, 

Rushing proudly on the strand; 

Rising grandly ; dashing proudly on the strand. 

Why this rising through the nation 

Like the swelling of the sea? 
'Tis the omen of salvation; 

Boding certain victory. 

Joyful token, harbinger of victory. 

Stormy winds and ocean rolling 

Have a purpose to fulfill. 
One there is, all things controlling, 

They obey His sovereign will, 

Blowing, flowing, they obey His sovereign will. 

Like a fragile vessel, broken 

Was the power of Greece and Rome ; 
When the Lord the word had spoken 



128 TEMPERANCE REVIVAL. 

Babel met a righteous doom. 

Long since buried in a long forgotten tomb. 

Egypt saw Jehovah's token 

When He came His own to save; 

Saw her frightened legions broken, 
Saw them sink beneath the wave. 
O'er those legions saw the angry waters rave. 

God of nations ! if Thou guide us, 
And we follow Thy command, 

Righteous laws if Thou provide us, 
Truth and right pervade the land, 
We securely on a firm foundation stand. 



THE SONG OF BACCHUS. 129 



The Song of Bacchus 



Most jubilant is Bacchus, 
And this is what he sings; 

Our friends will not forsake us, 
My army has two wings. 

Two pillars has my temple. 
It could not stand alone; 

And their support so ample 
Shall well sustain my throne. 

Now when the pillars tremble 
Shout " Great is Diana" 

Let all my friends assemble 
And form one grand array. 

In halls of legislation 
I'm speaker by consent, 

Tis not by usurpation 
My friends all seem content. 

For preaching and for praying 
I do not care one fig. 



130 THE SONG OF BACCHUS. 

While they their prayers are saying 
I'll laugh and dance a jig. 

But now the truth I'm speaking 
One thing my courage shocks 

And makes me feel like sneaking 
I dread the ballot-box. 

I have no lack of money 
Unbounded wealth is mine. 

To some it may seem funny, 
I make the whisky wine. 

Some preachers give no trouble 
Their views are very calm, 

Transparent as a bubble; 
They cause me no alarm. 

The Bible through their teaching, 
Is handmaid to my cause; 

Their practice and their preaching 
Elicit my applause. 

Moreover, through their teaching 

The Bible justifies 
The use of wine; (by stretching) 

Good men must it despise. 



TEMPERANCE RALLY. 131 



Temperance Rally 

We are coming, we are coming, 
A million freemen strong, 

And since our hearts are merry 
We will sing a merry song. 

Tho' little our beginning, 

So everything must be, 
The little grain of mustard 

Has now become a tree. 

A little ball was rolling 
Along the melting snow, 

See how the rolling snow-balls 
To huge proportions grow. 

A pebble in the ocean 

May yet an island be, 
And just a little acorn 

Become the monarch tree. 



132 TEMPERANCE RALLY. 

Throw a pebble in the ocean 
It will there create commotion, 

Nor shall die away the motion 
'Til it reach the distant shore. 

We have vowed entire devotion 

And will keep the wave in motion, 

'Til it reach across the ocean, 
And our sacred rights restore. 

The foe begins to tremble, 

And to shake his hoary locks; 

He is filled with consternation, 
Just to see the ballot-box. 

He constantly is prating 

Of liberty his own, 
But will rob you of your money 

As a mastiff picks a bone. 

We are done with our petitions — 
Time and paper thrown away, 

You have mocked the weeping women 
'Til their locks are turned to gray. 



TEMPERANCE RALLY. 133 

But a righteous retribution 

Is now waiting at your door, 
And a storm of indignation 

Shall like a torrent pour. 

We will flaunt the temp'rance banner 

On each hill-top and savanna, 
Be the sacred word hossanna, 

On the breezes sent afar. 

With the God of hosts before us 

We will swell the chorus, 
'Til the heavens o'er us 

Shall resound the loud huzza. 



134 MT. OLIVET. 



Mt. Olivet. 



-o^o- 



Adjacent to Salem stands Mt. Olivet, 
Its records of sorrow I sing in regret; 
The valley of Cedron lies midway between, 
Oft crossing that valley our Savior was seen. 

There Martha and Mary, and Lazarus too 
Of pious deportment; with Zion in view; 
There diligence Martha encumbered by care 
A coat without seam, did so deftly prepare. 

At the table of Simon where Jesus was guest 
Bore the part of a servant, by Simon's request; 
Nor irksome the service : but scrupulous care 
Displayed at the table : opportunity rare. 

There penitent Mary, whose profusion of tears 
Betokened her grief, for her guilt of past years, 
Betokened her love, for he freely forgave 
And wakened her brother from death and the grave. 



MT. OLIVET. 135 

Lazarus there, in the sepulcher slept, 
Four days was he sleeping, and there "Jesus wept," 
But woke at the call of the Master who said 
"Come forth thou that sleepest, arise from the 
dead." — 

At the close of each day he sought for repose 
Away from the City, secure from his foes ; 
Not once in the City did he tarry all night 
But traversed the valley, to Olivet's hight. 

Oft chilled by the night-winds and wet by the dew 
Disciple and Master held sad interview — 
The end is approaching with little delay 
From the flock must the shepherd be taken away. 

At midnight together they silently go, 
Or words if then spoken were trembling and low. 
The last word was uttered in blessing bestowed, 
The master ascended ; his chariot a cloud. . 



136 JUDGMENT HYMN. 



Judgment Hymn. 



Hear the trump of Gabriel sounding 
Pealing through the vaulted skies, 

Far and wide through earth resounding, 
Lo ! The sleeping dead arise, 

In amazement, in amazement, 
See the sleeping dead arise. 

Now He comes to earth returning 
His rewards with Him to bring, 

While the earth is rent and burning, 
Saints rejoice. He comes. Your King. 

Now returning, now returning; 

Saints rejoice. He comes. Your King. 

Saints and angels are attending, 
Now they come in bright array, 

Down to earth their pinions bending, 
Long has seemed my Lord's delay 

Bow before him, bow before him, 
Let there be no more delay. 



JUDGMENT HYMN. 137 

Now the guilty ones assemble, 

Blank despair fills every heart, 
Speechless now; they pale and tremble 

When they hear their doom " Depart." 
Loud their wailing, loud their wailing 

At the stern command " Depart." 



M*&. 



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